Geographic Feature: Tunisia
Thursday, August 27, 2026. TUNISIA ENERGY PROFILE: Tunisia's oil and natural gas production in 2026 shows continued decline amid rising import dependence. OIL PRODUCTION: Oil production declined to ~1.4 million tonnes (Mt) in 2025 after 2021 rebound, continuing long-term downward trend of ~6%/year since 2007. Crude oil output reached 489,000 tonnes to end-May 2026 (-7% YoY), with daily average production at 25.3 thousand barrels per day (kb/d), down from 26.7 kb/d prior year. 2026 estimates put crude oil production at ~27,700 b/d (valued at ~$789 million annually at $78/bbl). Crude oil production was ~25 kb/d as of April 2026 (stable month-on-month per EIA-linked data). Energy independence fell to 34% by end-June 2026 (down from 38% year earlier), with crude production down ~6% YoY. NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION: Natural gas production fell to 1.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2025 (halved since 2010; -11% that year), with further weakness into 2026. Natural gas resources (production + Algerian transit royalty) totaled 698 ktep-pci to end-May 2026 (-14% YoY). National commercial dry gas production was roughly stable to end-May 2026, with gains in fields like Nawara (+10%) and Chergui (+26%) offset by declines elsewhere (e.g., Hasdrubal -17%). Tunisia produced ~1.0 bcm of gas in 2026 while consuming ~5.0 bcm, requiring net imports of ~3.9 bcm (mostly from Algeria). RESERVES: Proven oil reserves stood at ~410 million barrels in 2026 (projected to fall to 380 million by 2035). Proven gas reserves were ~60 bcm in 2026 (projected to decline to 50 bcm by 2035). PRIMARY ENERGY SUPPLY: Primary energy supply was ~11 Mtoe in 2025 (declining ~2%/year since 2021), with gas at ~50% and oil at ~42% of mix. OFFSHORE EXPLORATION: Joint Oil (Tunisia-Libya) launched new international tender in August/September 2026 for ~3,000 km² Gabès-Tripoli offshore block, targeting resources estimated at >1.6 billion barrels of oil and 3.1 trillion cubic feet of gas. KEY FIELDS: Key fields include Nawara (gas capacity ~2.7 million m³/day plus oil/liquids) and others like Ashtart, El Borma, and Hasdrubal showing mixed or declining output. BROADER CONTEXT: Production declines driven by mature fields, limited new discoveries, and no major new drilling; country increasingly relies on Algerian gas imports and royalties while pursuing renewables to ease deficit. THE READ: Tunisia oil production declined ~1.4Mt 2025 after 2021 rebound, continuing long-term downward trend ~6%/year since 2007; crude oil output reached 489,000 tonnes end-May 2026, down 7% YoY, daily average 25.3 kb/d, down from 26.7 kb/d prior year; 2026 estimates ~27,700 b/d, valued ~$789M annually at $78/bbl; crude oil production ~25 kb/d April 2026, stable month-on-month EIA-linked data; energy independence fell 34% end-June 2026, down from 38% year earlier, crude production down ~6% YoY; natural gas production fell 1.6 bcm 2025, halved since 2010, down 11% that year, further weakness 2026; natural gas resources production plus Algerian transit royalty totaled 698 ktep-pci end-May 2026, down 14% YoY; national commercial dry gas production roughly stable end-May 2026, gains Nawara +10% and Chergui +26% offset declines elsewhere, Hasdrubal -17%; Tunisia produced ~1.0 bcm gas 2026 while consuming ~5.0 bcm, requiring net imports ~3.9 bcm, mostly Algeria; proven oil reserves ~410M barrels 2026, projected fall 380M 2035; proven gas reserves ~60 bcm 2026, projected decline 50 bcm 2035; primary energy supply ~11 Mtoe 2025, declining ~2%/year since 2021, gas ~50% and oil ~42% mix; Joint Oil Tunisia-Libya launched new international tender August/September 2026 ~3,000 km² Gabès-Tripoli offshore block, targeting resources estimated >1.6B barrels oil and 3.1 TCF gas; key fields Nawara gas capacity ~2.7M m³/day plus oil/liquids, others Ashtart, El Borma, and Hasdrubal showing mixed or declining output; production declines driven by mature fields, limited new discoveries, and no major new drilling, country increasingly relies on Algerian gas imports and royalties while pursuing renewables to ease deficit. Capital preservation first. Trade the data, not the headlines.
